Chorley 3 Hyde 2

BOTTOM-of-the-table Hyde made the high-flying Magpies work very hard for this victory and in a storming start threatened to pull off the shock result of the day in Conference North.

Roaring into action from the off, the unfancied Tigers raced into a two-goals’ lead in ten minutes and had chances to go three up before Chorley got a foothold in the match.

But two goals in the 35th and 36th minutes brought Garry Flitcroft’s promotion-chasers level and they pocketed the points with a third goal midway through the second half.

The lively Tom Bentham put Hyde ahead on three minutes, fastening onto a lofted ball down the left and firing a well-struck cross-shot beyond Aaron Grundy.

Then seven minutes later Bentham ghosted in unhindered to meet a corner with a firm header inside the far post. It took a thunderous shot from Jake Cottrell which crashed against the Hyde bar to fire up Chorley. Although two attempts to bundle home the rebound were heroically blocked on the line, reward for the Magpies was only briefly delayed.

Chris Doyle converted Darren Stephenson’s low centre from short range and then Chris Simm equalised at the second attempt after his close-range shot had been brilliantly saved but not held by keeper Connor Hunt. With Chorley now in charge, Stephenson fluffed a clear chance, shooting tamely straight at Hunt.

The high tempo was maintained after the break with Hyde still in feisty mood but gradually the Magpies gained more control and in the 73rd minute Stephenson collected a probing through-ball and coolly lifted his shot beyond the advancing Hunt, to the delight and relief of home fans in a fine crowd of 1,125.

But the excitement was far from over. Grundy produced a breathtaking athletic save to tip over a Bentham header destined for the top corner and at the other end Simm had a shot cleared off the Hyde line. Only a brave block by Hunt prevented Doyle crowning a surging solo run with a fourth for Chorley as the hosts finished deserved but narrow winners.

"It was a tremendous show of character by my players to pull that one round," said a delighted Flitcroft afterwards. "I knew from the mood in the dressing-room at half-time that having got out of trouble the team would go on to win."